Speaking as an independent analysis of Scottish MEPs’ attendance records in the European Parliament revealed that Scottish Conservative MEPs Struan Stevenson and John Purvis topped the league table and the SNP finished bottom, Struan Stevenson said:
"Scottish Conservatives have always said voters should judge us on our record and this is independent proof that our record is good. Tory MEPs have not only been more open with our expenses than any other party but this evidence says we are also the hardest working. We always said we would offer a strong voice for Scotland in Europe and now we have the proof.
"The SNP claims to be Scotland's voice in Europe but again this evidence shows their MEPs are all too often posted missing. This seems to be a chronic problem in the SNP - Alex Salmond is an MP, he claims an MP’s wage, but rarely attends Westminster.
"I am proud that the evidence over the last few days has shown that Scottish Conservative MEPs are hard working and leading the way in openness on expenses. Where we have led, others are scrambling to follow, except Labour who refuse to come clean over their Euro expenses. Which only begs the question: What have they got to hide?"
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Cut Crime - say the Lib Dems
I received a number of election communications recently including one from the Lib Dems who claimed to want to cut crime, and criticised the Conservtives for failing to support a European arrest warrant.
This is an EU invention that allows anyone to be extradited to another European Country for something that is not a crime in Britain. This is all part of their enthusiasm for a United States of Europe.
What's more this is the Lib Dem party that have consistently been soft on crime, for example advocating shorter jail sentences, letting off burglars (Simon Hughes and Mark Oaten), Votes for prisoners including rapists and paedophiles and calling for the legalisation of hard drugs and to quote Vince Cable MP, 'Liberals (and LibDems in particular)…' come across as '…"soft": preoccupied with understanding rather than punishing criminals, fretting about threats to freedom from excessive police powers, pressing for liberalisation of drug laws rather than enforcing them'
Sorry folks, I'm not taking lessons from the Lib Dems on cutting crime.
This is an EU invention that allows anyone to be extradited to another European Country for something that is not a crime in Britain. This is all part of their enthusiasm for a United States of Europe.
What's more this is the Lib Dem party that have consistently been soft on crime, for example advocating shorter jail sentences, letting off burglars (Simon Hughes and Mark Oaten), Votes for prisoners including rapists and paedophiles and calling for the legalisation of hard drugs and to quote Vince Cable MP, 'Liberals (and LibDems in particular)…' come across as '…"soft": preoccupied with understanding rather than punishing criminals, fretting about threats to freedom from excessive police powers, pressing for liberalisation of drug laws rather than enforcing them'
Sorry folks, I'm not taking lessons from the Lib Dems on cutting crime.
CRB Checks - or not
One of the features of the Labour Government was the introduction of Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) (Disclosure Scotland) checks as a Child protection measure.
Sadly the good intentions behind this have been outweighed by the negative effects. For example a significant reduction in people being willing to volunteer to work with children and the creation of a sense of suspicion and the poisoning of relationships between generations.
It is said that One of the main reasons for the formation of the Criminal Records Bureau was to reduce the risk of organisations being sued for employing convicted criminals who went on to abuse vulnerable people while in the course of their duty, as the 1990s saw an increase in the American-influenced compensation culture across Britain (Wikipedia).
One additional problem with the system is the way that each and every organisation needs to do an individual check. For example, one person checked in order to be a school governor still needs to be checked by another organisation e.g. a church youth club with whom they may wish to become involved.
This is great business for the company running the bureau, as they make a fortune, but does it help to protect the vulnerable? Well no, according to Sociologist Frank Furedi who has stated that CRB checks cannot provide a "cast-iron guarantee" that children will be safe with a particular adult. (Wikipedia) The system did nothing to prevent the Soham murders.
Maybe it's time that in the light of events that the next Government should have a long, close look at the CRB to see if it is indeed fit for purpose or just another money making machine for an unaccountable company.
Sadly the good intentions behind this have been outweighed by the negative effects. For example a significant reduction in people being willing to volunteer to work with children and the creation of a sense of suspicion and the poisoning of relationships between generations.
It is said that One of the main reasons for the formation of the Criminal Records Bureau was to reduce the risk of organisations being sued for employing convicted criminals who went on to abuse vulnerable people while in the course of their duty, as the 1990s saw an increase in the American-influenced compensation culture across Britain (Wikipedia).
One additional problem with the system is the way that each and every organisation needs to do an individual check. For example, one person checked in order to be a school governor still needs to be checked by another organisation e.g. a church youth club with whom they may wish to become involved.
This is great business for the company running the bureau, as they make a fortune, but does it help to protect the vulnerable? Well no, according to Sociologist Frank Furedi who has stated that CRB checks cannot provide a "cast-iron guarantee" that children will be safe with a particular adult. (Wikipedia) The system did nothing to prevent the Soham murders.
Maybe it's time that in the light of events that the next Government should have a long, close look at the CRB to see if it is indeed fit for purpose or just another money making machine for an unaccountable company.
Friday, 22 May 2009
June is National Microchipping month
National Microchipping Month is held annually, with animal welfare groups, veterinary practices and local authorities all over the UK holding chipping clinics in a bid to make the public more aware of how a simple chip can be the difference between being reunited with your pet and never seeing them again.
The UK is now home to approximately 23 million pet animals, of which dogs account for 8 million, thus I believe National Microchipping Month is an extremely important way to educate the public about the benefits of microchipping.
Given that the average parliamentary constituency is home to approximately 35,600 pets I am encouraging and supporting this campaign in Edinburgh West.
The UK is now home to approximately 23 million pet animals, of which dogs account for 8 million, thus I believe National Microchipping Month is an extremely important way to educate the public about the benefits of microchipping.
Given that the average parliamentary constituency is home to approximately 35,600 pets I am encouraging and supporting this campaign in Edinburgh West.
Two arson attacks a day in Scottish schools - more than England
I was shocked and amazed to read Liz Smith MSP's comments regarding arson attacks in Scottish Schools
Liz said
“These figures are appalling. Scotland has nearly two arson attacks, or incidences of ‘fireraising’, in schools each day of the year. That is more than in England, a country with ten times the population!
“Scottish Conservatives want to give teachers and headteachers the powers they need to deal with violence and remove disruptive pupils. In addition, we must ensure that headteachers to ban, search for and confiscate any item they think likely to cause disruption in schools, including lighters and matches.
“School discipline is a major issue for all parents as well as for everyone in the teaching profession. These shocking statistics must be a wake up call to Fiona Hyslop and the SNP Scottish Government.”
I'm with Liz on this, something needs to be done.
Liz said
“These figures are appalling. Scotland has nearly two arson attacks, or incidences of ‘fireraising’, in schools each day of the year. That is more than in England, a country with ten times the population!
“Scottish Conservatives want to give teachers and headteachers the powers they need to deal with violence and remove disruptive pupils. In addition, we must ensure that headteachers to ban, search for and confiscate any item they think likely to cause disruption in schools, including lighters and matches.
“School discipline is a major issue for all parents as well as for everyone in the teaching profession. These shocking statistics must be a wake up call to Fiona Hyslop and the SNP Scottish Government.”
I'm with Liz on this, something needs to be done.
Monday, 18 May 2009
No reward for failure
I note that John McFall MP seems to love the phrase "no reward for failure". Indeed his boss Gordon Brown seems to be keen on it too. Especially when they have been using it to give Bankers a metaphorical kicking.
Of course I agree with them, there should be no rewards for failure. It will be interesting to see therefore if Mr McFall, Gordon Brown and all the members of the Government will stand by their cry and accept no rewards for failure either.
After all their stewardship of the economy cannot be described as anything other than an abject failure by any measure you care to use.
Naturally, I expect this failure to be confirmed by the general public at the ballot box, sometime in the coming year.
If there are to be no rewards for failure, then none of the government MP's should be paid any pension and there certainly should be no peerages either.
Will they do the honourable thing? No I don't think so either.
Of course I agree with them, there should be no rewards for failure. It will be interesting to see therefore if Mr McFall, Gordon Brown and all the members of the Government will stand by their cry and accept no rewards for failure either.
After all their stewardship of the economy cannot be described as anything other than an abject failure by any measure you care to use.
Naturally, I expect this failure to be confirmed by the general public at the ballot box, sometime in the coming year.
If there are to be no rewards for failure, then none of the government MP's should be paid any pension and there certainly should be no peerages either.
Will they do the honourable thing? No I don't think so either.
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